Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has backed Andoni Iraola to take the job at Anfield next season if FSG decide to overlook Xabi Alonso.
Though he had previously been seen as favourite to succeed Arne Slot if the Dutchman is fired this summer, there have been recent suggestions that Liverpool would not hire Alonso.
That has opened the door for other potential candidates, and according to Nicol, Iraola would be an excellent choice.
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Alexander Isak pictured playing during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg match against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista)
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Nicol backs Iraola for Liverpool manager
Nicol has flip-flopped on the possibility of Alonso joining over the course of the season, having not been totally convinced by the Spaniard’s stint at Real Madrid.
Nevertheless, when asked to pick his Reds manager for next season between Slot, Alonso and Iraola on ESPN FC, Nicol admitted that though the former Liverpool midfielder would likely still be his first choice, he would have ‘absolutely no problem’ with Iraola arriving either.
“I like Iraola. I like the way his Bournemouth play the game,” he said.
“Under normal circumstances I would’ve said Alonso. But he absolutely bombed at Real Madrid and you have to take that into consideration.
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“However, I don’t think that FSG, if Arne Slot is not going to be there at the start of the season, I don’t see how FSG don’t go with Alonso. So, I’m going to go Alonso I think, ultimately.
“If something happened with Alonso and he didn’t want it, or they weren’t keen with what happened at Real Madrid, I’d have absolutely no problem with Andoni Iraola next season.”
Analysis: Iraola could join Liverpool
Although Alonso would still feel like the logical choice if Slot does not keep his job beyond this season, all the noises of late have been very clear that he is not in the thinking.
If that really is the case, then Iraola has done enough to prove that he should be next in line.
Is a fifth-place finish enough to warrant Arne Slot remaining Liverpool manager?
Arne Slot during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester City and Liverpool
Credit: Shaun Brooks/CameraSport/Getty Images
The Basque picked up another eye-catching result on Saturday, making it back-to-back away wins over Arsenal and Newcastle in the Premier League.
With only five games left to play, Bournemouth remarkably sit only four points off the Champions League places for next season.
His body of work at the Vitality Stadium has been hugely impressive and consistent over a three-year period, and though Liverpool would be a big step up from that, his existing relationship with Richard Hughes along with his attacking, committed style of football make him one to watch for the Reds.
Clearly, there is still real doubt over whether FSG will decide to get rid of Slot, and the general feeling for now seems to be that the 47-year-old will still be at Anfield next season. If he is not, however, Iraola certainly could be.
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